Imagine a powerful story visualizing the day of judgment and showing what is coming for humanity, from the point of view of Islam.
This is what Surah Al-Waqiah does, which tells us a story about Al Qiyamah and explains the differences between Muslims and the infidels and the fate of each one of them. Therefore, it is special in the hearts of many Muslims, and they frequently recite it for its spiritual significance and the value it brings in their daily life.
So, what are its valuable lessons? And how does it describe the day of judgment? Let’s find that below:
Why Was Surah Al-Waqiah Revealed?
The translation of Al-Waqiah is The Great Event, which is a metaphor for the day of judgment.
The Meccan society was deep in materialism and quite skeptical about Al Qiyamah. Therefore, Surah Al-Waqiah was revealed and began by saying:
“When the Inevitable Event takes place, then no one can deny it has come.” (56:1-2)
That is, Allah says to them, no matter how much you deny the day of judgment. when that day comes you will not be able to deny it any longer, but it will be too late.
Then it opens with a clear and detailed scene of the day of judgment, revealing to us the secrets of heaven and hell, and the consequences for different categories of people.
Benefits of Reciting Surah Waqiah
Protection from Poverty
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqiah every night will never be afflicted by poverty.”
So, reciting Surah Al-Waqiah is a habit of some Muslims to avoid falling into poverty in Dunya. They recite it before they sleep, hoping that it will shield them and their family from the financial hardships of life and the unknown.
Spiritual Awareness and Preparation
Allah promises the believers Paradise and countless blessings. Such as endless fruits. The surah says:
“abundant fruit—never out of season nor forbidden—” (56:32-33)
The believers are reminded of the transient nature of this worldly life and the eternal importance of the afterlife. For it’s only when they get unlimited access to an abundance of blessings they couldn’t fathom having in real life.
“And ˹they will have˺ maidens with gorgeous eyes,like pristine pearls”(56:22-23)
Strength the relationship with Allah
Surat Al-Waqiah reassures the heart of the believers, with the love of Allah, as it says
“and the foremost ˹in faith˺ will be the foremost in Paradise. They are the ones nearest to Allah,” (56:10-11)
This divine closeness is a constant reminder that Allah supports them in their lives and encourages them to continue on their spiritual path with confidence.
Also, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, who said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: Allah said:
“…My servant continues to draw near to me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks…” (Al-Bukhari.)
Assurance of Allah’s Justice
Allah’s justice is shown by dividing people into three groups on the day of judgment, as Surah Al-Waqiah says:
“the people of the right, how ˹blessed˺ will they be;the people of the left, how ˹miserable˺ will they be; and the foremost ˹in faith˺ will be the foremost ˹in Paradise˺.” (56:8-10)
Imagine that even believers have degrees. Allah will not hold accountable those who believe in him and devote their lives to him, just as he does those who believe in Him but do not fear Him.
The Day of Judgment
Who among us has not wondered about the features of the day of judgment? How will that great day be? And what are the details of heaven and hell?
Surah Al-Waqiah came to answer all these questions. At first, Allah explains how the day of resurrection will occur, as Allah says in Surah Al-Waqiah:
“When the earth will be violently shaken, and the mountains will be crushed to pieces, becoming scattered ˹particles of˺ dust” (56: 4-6)
This explains that the earth is stable because of the mountains in it, but imagine that after the mountains that stabilize it disappear, and earth becomes a shakable unstable sphere.
Then Allah divided people into three distinct groups, as the surah says:
“you will ˹all˺ be ˹divided into˺ three groups” (56:7)
So, what are the three groups of people? Let’s find out below:
The people of the right(Ashaab al-Yameen)
“the people of the right, how ˹blessed˺ will they be” (56:8)
The people of the right are those who draw near to Allah through the obligatory acts, they do what Allah has made obligatory upon them, and they leave what Allah has forbidden them, without adding extra recommended acts or avoiding permissible ones unnecessarily.
“They will be˺ amid thornless lote trees, clusters of bananas, extended shade, flowing water, abundant fruit—never out of season nor forbidden—and elevated furnishings. Indeed, We will have perfectly created their mates, making them virgins, loving and of equal age, for the people of the right.” (56:28-38)
As we see, Allah has promised them many blessings that reassure them and strengthen their faith.
The foremost (Al-Sabiqoon)
“and the foremost ˹in faith˺ will be the foremost ˹in Paradise. They are the ones nearest ˹to Allah˺, in the Gardens of Bliss.˺”(56:10-12)
They are the closest people to Allah and have the highest place among the believers. They draw near to Allah through voluntary acts after the obligatory acts, so they do the obligatory and recommended acts and leave the forbidden and disliked acts, with all that they can do for their beloved acts.
“They will also be served˺ any fruit they choose and meat from any bird they desire. And ˹they will have˺ maidens with gorgeous eyes, like pristine pearls, all˺ as a reward for what they used to do.” (56:20-24)
The people of the left (Ashaab al-Shimal).
“the people of the left, how ˹miserable˺ will they be” (56:9)
They are the corruptors on earth, who deny the religion of Allah and do everything that is forbidden. And of course, they are the people of Hell, the people of the ominous actions that brought upon them calamities on the day of judgment from which there is no escape. And there is no way for repentance and no path to return, as Allah warns them when he describes their fate in Surah Al-Waqiah, saying:
“They will be˺ in scorching heat and boiling water, in the shade of black smoke, neither cool nor refreshing. Indeed, before this ˹torment˺ they were spoiled by luxury, and persisted in the worst of sin.” (56:42-46)
This means, that in the life of the world, they were enjoying life’s pleasures and satisfying their lusts, all the while ignoring what the messengers brought to them, and they persisted and did not intend to repent. Therefore, they will have a painful punishment, as mentioned. They will be in a hot wind from the heat of Hellfire that will take their breath away, and boiling water, and a shade of intense black smoke, neither a cool home nor a pleasant appearance.
